Updates on Trials and More

Hello good people. I’ve been unable to follow trials and news daily to write blog posts about them. As it stands now, I’m unsure if and when I’ll return to writing blog posts on a regular basis. My last chemo treatment is scheduled for February, and then I’ll be on targeted immunotherapy for a year, so we’ll see how I’ll feel come March of next year.

There is much happeningand I wanted to bullet point some things. As and if time allows, I’ll post updates in the comment section below. Feel free to do the same.

Terry Thompson and his wife Chauna were charged with murder for the May 28, 2017, choke-hold death of John Hernandez in Crosby, Texas. Terry was put on trial in July 2018 and the jury hung. His retrial began in October 2018. The jury found Terry guilty and sentenced him to 25 years. Chauna’s trial is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2019. For background on this case, see this link.

Brennan Walker

Jeffrey Zeigler, who fired a shotgun at 14-year old Brennan Walker, has been sentenced to 4 to 10 years in prison. A jury found Zeigler guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. For background info on this case, click here.

James Alex Fields, Jr. who drove his car into a group of counter protesters in Charlottesville, VA killing Heather Heyer, has been found guilty of first degree murder. He was also found guilty on 5 counts of malicious wounding, 3 counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and 1 count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death. The jury began deliberating on December 10, 2018 to decide his sentence. Fields faces 20 years to life on the murder conviction. Fields is also facing federal charges on 30 hate crimes.

Three Chicago police officers are on trial for their role in covering-up the killing of Laquan McDonald. In October 2018, Chicago officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm — one for each shot he fired into 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke’s sentencing is still pending as his attorney seeks a new trial. The three officers were on a bench trial, with closing arguments concluded on December 6, 2018. Judge Domenica Stephenson will give her verdict on December 19, 2018.

Justine Damond

Hennepin County prosecutors have filed a motion to amend the charge against Officer Mohamed Noor to second degree murder for the killing of Justine Damond on July 15, 2017. Noor had been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. His trial is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2019.

Anthony Hill

Former DeKalb County policeman, Robert Olsen, was indicted on six counts, including murder, aggravated assault, making false statements, and violating his oath of office in the killing of Anthony Hill in 2015. Hill was an Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with bi-polar and post-traumatic stress syndrome. He was wandering in an apartment complex naked and unarmed when killed by Olsen. Olsen filed for immunity, claiming that he killed Hill in self-defense. DeKalb Superior Court Judge J. P. Boulee did not agree with Olsen’s self-defense contention and denied him immunity. Olsen’s trial is pending.

Emantic “EJ” Bradford, Jr.

Emantic “EJ” Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., veteran and son of a police officer, was killed on Thanksgiving night in Hoover, Alabama by police officers responding to reports of gunfire at a mall. EJ was helping other shoppers to safety but police mistook him for the shooter. His family commissioned a private pathologist who found that EJ was shot three times from behind. He was shot in the neck, head and back.

It’s good to see you! I keep you in my thoughts and hope you are coping … I won’t say I hope you are feeling well, for I know that isn’t the case, but hang in … perhaps in March? Huge HUG for you, my friend! Now rest. ❤

Xena,
I know I’ve been off the radar for a minute or two but to step in and hear this news just breaks my heart. You’re resilient though, and I expect nothing less than a full recovery for you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Wow, I really didn’t expect this today. STAY POSITIVE AND KEEP GOD FIRST!!!

Roach,
I first posted about the diagnosis in October because the insurance company actually dictates the treatment. I’ve learned a lot about how physicians’ hands are tied by insurance companies who make decisions based on what pharmaceutical companies dictate. Thanks for your words of encouragement. This is a time when I am so grateful to knowing the Lord since childhood because the words of medical personnel about life can be very disappointing at times.

I believe if you keep your faith,
you keep your trust,
you keep the right attitude,
if you’re grateful,
you’ll see God open up new doors.
-Joel Osteen-
I posted this today and trust me, I believe every word of it. Just stay strong and kep the faith…IN GOD.

I had an unplanned vacation. Thursday morning I was taken to the hospital by ambulance after passing out. Twice last week, I called my oncologist about side-effects from the chemo. On Tuesday, his nurse told me that I probably had a bladder infection and to take Benadryl. On Wednesday, his nurse told me to use a hydrocodisone cream and continue the Benadryl. Well, the Benadryl causes dehydration. My white blood cell count was below 1.5. The ER attending physician said that I have a UTI that my body was fighting without having enough white blood cells. My blood pressure was very low. I was placed in isolation to prevent catching anything and given injections to spur my bone marrow to produce blood cells.

I know that it was prayers that actually saved me from the oncologist’s non-caring attitude. This is the second time that I’ve had a bad reaction to chemo and he didn’t treat me, resulting in my having to go to the ER. I now have another oncologist —- and over $1,500 in copays because of being admitted to the hospital.

Gronda,
The pain was so bad that it sent me into a seizure. On the website cancer.gov, it says:
“In people being treated for cancer, a UTI can turn into a serious condition that needs immediate medical care.”

What are patients to do when they contact their oncologist and are told to take benadryl and a day later, another call and still no resolve? When I was admitted, I actually wanted to cry thinking that my oncologist doesn’t think that my life matters.

I hate when GOP lawmakers complain about the ACA with words like, do you want insurance companies managing the health care of consumers? What do they think has been going on for years?

Hang in there..This too shall pass..You can do this..You are fighting for you. You’re the best and you deserve the best. We love you…take it easy. You have lots of folks rooting for you.

GOP lawmakers are bought and paid for by pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, the fossil fuel industry tycoons, NRA executives, etc. It’s no wonder the GOP lawmakers are okay with President Trump taking monies from Russia, Saudi Arabia, etc. Meanwhile the voters are being run over by these guys.

The Black Lives Matter movement and brave citizens like Colin Kapernick who have taken up the cause of too many unarmed peoples of color being shot and unfairly treated by police officers that have led to even police officers finally being held accountable for their misdeeds.

Without the Chicago’s community’s outrage over years, over the killing of Laquan McDonald, the police officers would never have been held accountable.

Gronda,
What you say is true. I think that politicians forget that there is a generation that lived experiencing hospitalization insurance before HMO’s and PPO’s. The days of the neighborhood physician are gone. We can almost say that the insurance companies got rid of them by requiring they join a network. Once that happened, physicians were subjected to get approval from insurance companies for patient treatment.

I’m praying that the Almighty God will bless you with a healing. Thank you for the update on the cases. I really appreciate all that you do on this blog, but most of all I want you to focus on kicking cancer’s butt. We are loyal to this blog and will be waiting for your return. Please get well soon and I will make sure to keep you and your loved ones uplifted in prayer 💖💖💖❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💖💖💖

Ladylove,
Your words are a blessing, and I am very grateful for you. Things have gone so well that the entire oncology team is amazed. They don’t know what we know. I give all credit to the Lord. He has hidden my life in Christ, who is life. Thanks also for your prayers.

Thanks for the positive wish. Following trials is one of my passions, and I don’t like not having energy to research and write, but this situation has really taught me that life is more important than anything.

Dreamer,
Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. After each chemo, a different side effect rears its ugly head. If it wasn’t for side effects, I would feel pretty good today. Because of a side effect, I’m on Benadryl, so I’m sleepy as can be and will be taking a nap very soon. I keep telling myself, “Just two more to go. Just two more.”

Hi Xena, I admire and appreciate your dedication in following these cases and keeping us up to date.

It must be shitty to fight for your life with a doctor who apparently doesn’t care. To prescribe Benadryl for a UTI in a leukopenic cancer patient is nothing short of malpractice. But you don’t have time to focus on that you have to get better.

Tell that oncologist you are not alone and the Board of Medicine might be interested in his standard of care for UTI in leukopenic cancer patients. Smh in disgust!

Angela,
I’ve now transferred to another oncologist. My old one is leaving practice in January, and it was my impression that the circumstance has him under attitudes that are not to the benefits of his patients. Or, maybe I’m making excuses for him because the man who was motivated about my treatment in the beginning, is not that same man I’ve encountered since. Back in October, I was instructed to keep warm compresses on my left hand, and ended up in the ER with an infected hand going though necrosis and a DVT. So, maybe there is a pattern of administering chemo then leaving patients to go to the ER after their symptoms are ignored and the condition becomes life-threatening.

Home health care now has me registered and scheduled. When I was taken by ambulance to the hospital, my systolic blood pressure was 80. While I was admitted, they wanted that number to be over 100. Yesterday when the nurse came out, it was 112 and they are sending me equipment so they can read my blood pressure each morning and afternoon. My normal systolic blood pressure in 120.

Yes, I agree that it’s malpractice to not treat a patient with UTI with an anti-biotic. I called his office twice on two separate days. The information given to me includes that if certain symptoms of bladder infection exist for more than 3 days, it can be life threatening and sure enough, it was.

Xena, Glad to know you have another oncologist and Happy you’re doing okay! In my experience, oncologists are usually more cautious, compassionate and competent than most physicians. However, medicine is changing and being run more like a business.

Chuquest,
Thanks for your encouragement. I’m not one to give up and things are looking good. Shame that it took me being admitted to the hospital to decide to change oncologists but now I’m happy I did.

While we’re talking about cancer, some if not most of you might be familiar with Michael, a blogger whose blog I’ve followed since about 2013. If you have time, please pay him a visit and wish him well. He recently posted about his condition.